Category Archives: Practical information for India

description de la catégorie : practical information for india

Radisson Blue Resort Temple Bay

Take the time it will take you to know yourself. Just by knowing yourself, you will travel

Gilles Vigneault

Radisson Blue Resort Temple Bay
57, Covelong Road
603104 Mahābalipuram, Inde
Tamil Nadu, India

Price : $ 200-300 per night : 17 000 to 26 000 Rs.

Very good location, at the entrance of Mahabalipuram.
Very quiet & very clean, rooms with balconies, suites, apartments, etc.

This is a luxury hotel where you will be considered like a royal host. The setting is beautiful, but totally impersonal.

 

Features :  

Mini golf and free Wi – Fi access.
Limousine service and valet parking are just some of the luxury installations at your disposal throughout your stay.

The Blue Radisson Resort Temple Bay, very recently renovated, offers a club for children and adolescents, room service 24 hours / 24 and a children’s pool. There is an on-site day spa and a golf course.

A gigantic swimming pool… (I’ve never seen a pool as large in my life…)

Two restaurants, etc. …

Radison chambre

Equipped to ensure a pleasant stay, the rooms of the Radisson have a private terrace, a minibar and slippers. The individual bathrooms include bathrobes, shower and hairdryer.

Radison Hotel restau

  • Internet, Wi-Fi
  • Laundry
  • All the services of a big luxury hotel
  • Friendly and smiling staff

Sri Murugan Guest House

Must you go? Stay? If you can stay, stay;
Leave, if you have to. One runs, and the other crouches
to cheat the vigilant and disastrous enemy, time!

Le voyage
Charles Baudelaire  – Les fleurs du mal (1861)

Sri Murugan Guest House, anciennement Balaji Guest House
Price : 600 Rs par jour (if it remains at least 15 days)
9, Ottaivadai Street (see the Map)
Mahãbalipuram – 603 104 Tamil Nadu
Téléphone : 0091 – 441 14 – 242 849

The ”Sri Murugan Guest House”, is a new small hotel. Some rooms are quite large. Very clean and quiet, but the Interior rooms are a bit dark.

At the top, on the terrace of the hotel, is the “Restaurant Siesta”, which serves an inventive westernized Indian cuisine, a bit expensive for the quantity…

Sri Murugan Guest House resto

On the left ground floor of the building, is the wonderful shop owned by our friend Véronique “Akka Creation”. She animates an association / workshop, where she teaches Indian women how to sew, make clothes etc (a little more 33 people), the manufactured products are sold in this shop, to make lovely gifts. Akka in the Tamil language, means “big sister”. With cloths and fabrics from Jaipur, Madras and Pondicherry, Akka creates, cuts and sews clothes, bags, and patchworks using the wonderful colours of India. May also be ordered on their website (fast delivery in well adapted packaging)

83815-1

http://www.alittlemarket.com/boutique/akkacreation-83815.html

Sea Breeze Hotel

“In a group of people for whom everything is sacred, and for whom what is not sacred may at any time become so, fabulous stories are told “

Jean-Claude Carrière – Légendes modernes, Dictionnaire amoureux de l’Inde (2001)

Sea Breeze Hotel
Ottaivadai Cross Street (see the Map)
Mahãbalipuram – 603 104 Tamil Nadu
Phone :
00 91 – 441 14 – 430 035
Fax :
00 91 – 441 14 – 430 065

Price : Between1500 & 4000 Rs depending on the type of room and the length of your stay + 12,75% taxes

Mail : seabreezehotel@hotmail.com

The Sea Breeze Hotel, has an annexe, price 700 Rs / day with access to the pool.

Sea breeze annexe a

This is the first charm hotel in Mahabalipuram, that was magnificent in the past, but that has badly aged because not very well looked after, like many hotels in India.

The rooms are moderately clean but the bathrooms are clean.
Good location, very quiet, a superb garden that goes to the front of the ocean, close to the Sea Shore Temple.

Some rooms with balconies, but there’s no ocean view.
Very nice shaded and well-maintained pool.
Staff a bit slow… no one really cares about anything.
Not a smile at the reception, and to have hot water, you have to be patient….

 

  • Wi-Fi possible, with an extra charge.
    Parking
    Gift shop
    Restaurant, breakfast OK, you eat much better elsewhere…

 

Nota :

Booking of the rooms by email is not without problems, as is the car service to pick you up from the airport…

Siva Guest House

“We do not see, we believe we see, and anyway, sight is misleading by nature. This is why Jean de la Croix wrote that we are not traveling to see, but to not see
– i. e. trying to achieve something else than the smooth, fleeting surface of things, to see ourselves under the light of elsewhere”.

Jean-Claude Carrière, Invitation, Dictionnaire amoureux de l’Inde, (2001)

 

Siva Guest House
2, Othavadai Cross Street (see the Map)
Mahãbalipuram – 603 104 Tamil Nadu
Phone :
00 91 – 044 114 43 234 & 00 91 – 044 114 43 334
Fax :
00 91 – 044 114 43 534

Price: Depending on the room 500 to 1000 Rs/ day

The owner of the Siva Guest House has several traditional Indian art shops. Well-located hotel, just a short walk from the beach (3′) and from many restaurants.

Very nice & very, very clean
Mosquito net on windows
Only remark, the rooms are a bit small.
Staff is charming.

You can book rooms by email without a problem.
Mail : sivaguesthouse@hotmail.com

You will find at the hotel reception : 

  • Internet, local and international phone
  • Laundry service
  • Service 24 / 24 hour (tea, water, etc.)
  • Travel agency, “Siva Tour and Travels”, can provide “pick up” from the airport.
  • This private all-India car service offers three tours in the South of the India: Kerala, Mysore, mountain areas, animal reserves, Hampi and Goa.

Green Woods Beach Resort

“Any European who comes to India acquires patience
if he has none, but if he had some, he loses it”

Green Woods Beach Resort
Situated Ottaivadai Cross Street (See the Map)
Mahãbalipuram – 603 104 Tamil Nadu
Fax : 00 91 – 41 14 – 243 318
Mobile : 0091 98 40 29 71 52
Price: between 700 Rs and Rs 800 per day
Mail : greenwoods.resort@yahoo.com

It was here, in 1991 on the highest terrace of the hotel that I lead my first sessions of Ashtanga Yoga in Mahabalipuram, with a “tent” to shelter from the rain and the sun… What memories… There is always this magnificent Ganesh who welcomes you in the centre of the Court.

The Greenwoods Beach Resort is the perfect place to be in the centre of activity in Mahabalipuram, very close to the ocean (3′) and restaurants, but therefore a bit noisy. Unfortunately, only a few trees are left in the beautiful garden.

The 20 rooms of the hotel are divided into standard and executive (low-level). Cleanliness is Indian, which means very average…

Restaurant on the first floor, but without any real charm or flavour.

Friendly home

Rooms are air-conditioned or not, but a little dark.

Wi-Fi available

Down on the ground floor at the rear, is our friend Krishna and his team who give massages and Ayurveda quality treatments.

Pallava Dynasty Comfort Cottages

The world is a book,
and those who do not travel
only read one page
Saint Augustin

Pallava Dynasty Comfort Cottages
37, East Raja Street (See the plan)
Mahãbalipuram- 603 104 Tamil Nadu
Fax : 00 91 – 44 274 42 400
Mobile : 0091 09443169036‎
Price : Room 2200 Rs by day, & suite at 2600 Rs day

Pallava Dynasty Hotel

Pallava Dynasty Hotel

The Director of the “Pallava Dynasty Comfort Cottages” was originally responsible for a stone sculpture (granite) workshop. He first created a wonderful shop in the main street of Mahabalipuram where his production, as well as the best pieces made by friends (granite, marble, copper and bronze) are exposed. A few years ago there he created this friendly hotel, ideally situated in a quiet location in Mamallapuram, close to the beach (6′ feet). The sleek buildings are located in a beautiful tropical garden, ocean of greenery. Comfort, luxury, cleanliness, smiling and competent staff.

All rooms have a personal balcony and are very well furnished

Recent small pool, in the sun

Available Wi-Fi, satellite TV, laundry, hot & cold water 24/24 h, room service.

Here, your spirit and soul will be serene

Email : pallavadynasty@gmail.com

 

Daphne hotel in Mahabalipuram

“The traveller must knock on all doors before reaching his own.”
Rabindranath Tagore

A stay in one of the hotels owned by Ramesh, a friend for a very long time (over 20 years), is to ensure a good organization and a very clean room. If it can help you, he will do so with great pleasure.

He has four hotels all well located :

 

  • Daphne Hotel, the favorite of many (s) yogi and yogini (s) green and flowery, very clean and quiet patio.
    Prices : between 600 and 3000 Rs
    17, Ottavadai Cross Street. Mahābalipuram
    Telephone: +91 94441 84060
  • Hotel Blue elephant, at the top of the restore of the same name, where are served on delicious Indian cuisine (in front of the very famous Moonrakers Restaurant). We have a soft spot for the top with terrace and quiet rooms.  
    Prix :  600 Rs
    39, Othavadai Street, Mahabalipuram,
    Telephone:     +91 94444 53772

3   Hotel Daphne beach 

Facing the ocean……. all rooms have a terrace, the wind blowing from the ocean is rather nice .

On the long sandy beach, boats and fishing nets are aligned… in the distance, the Sea Shore Temple, built at the end of the beach, defies time, the ocean and spray. Built in the 7th century, is one of the oldest temples in South India.

Téléphone : +91 9444453772
603 104 Tamil Nadu – Inde
Téléphone : (0091) 411 42 42 811

4  Meya Beach Walk Hotel

Kings Nagar, East Coast Road – coming from Mahabalipuram, turn right after the Indian Oil Petrol Station, 603104 Mahabalipuram, India

Maya Beach Walk Hotel, was established in 2017, it is located 3 minutes’ walk from the beach.
The hotel has a sun terrace and views of the sea.

Free private parking is available on site.Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Some rooms have a seating area where you can relax. Rooms include a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.

The reception is open 24 hours a day
Hot water 24 hours a day.

Each room has a terrace equipped with a seating area. 
Choice of either double or twin room

On the terrace is the BHAKAYA BEACH VIEW restaurant, overlooking the beach where you can dine al fresco.

The hotel also offers bike hire.

5  Hotel Alice Paradise

Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. All rooms have a seating area where you can relax. Rooms include a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.

The reception is open 24 hours a day
Hot water 24 hours a day.

Each room has a terrace equipped with a seating area.

The hotel also offers bike hire.

Price : 2450 rs

Site web : http://moonrakersrestaurant.com
Email :     hoteldaphne1@yahoo.com

 

 

Advice on what to wear for a stay in India

In India you will be surprised by the brilliance of the Indian women’s shimmering saris, and their femininity, their hair adorned with flowers and scented with jasmine.

A mark of respect

Indians, in general, appreciate cared-for, even elegant, dress. That is for them a mark of respect for oneself and for one’s interlocutor.

We remind you that for women, very short skirts, shorts, plunging necklines, and tank tops … are to be avoided.

For men, short shorts are also unsuitable, especially for visits to places of worship, be they Hindu, Jain, Sikh, or Muslim.

Covering up is also the best protection against mosquitoes and the sun depending on the region and time of the year. You will need to remove your footwear to enter places of worship; your shoes will be kept for a few rupees (if you don’t want to walk barefoot, bring along some socks). Don’t wear leather (belt, bags, wallet, sunglasses cases, etc.) when you visit a Jain family or their temples.

 

Shopping

You will find many dress shops for shopping (Kashmir shawls)…The Tamil cloth sellers’ stalls sell a wide range of fabrics, loincloths (dhoti) of various colours, and shimmering “Madras” style.

Other additional information:

  • Travel information: “flights” and “transfers”
  • “Visas”
  • Finding an “hotel” in Mahābalipuram
  • Taking photos in India
  • Information on “health” in India

Guide of “Savoir vivre for a European in India”.

Hello

Saying “hello” seems to be the simplest thing

Unless your interlocutor takes the initiative, never shake hands, it is considered to be impolite, like an impure act. Greet people saying “Namaste” joining your two hands in front of your chest. It is the equivalent to “Hello” in Europe.

Kissing each other is not done in public, it is considered as very disrespectful and impolite.

IMG_0172

Couples :

The modest side of Indian couples will surprise you. They never kiss in public nor do they show each other any sign of affection. So keep you marks of affection discrete. You can only touch your wife!

On the street, a man can touch another man but never a woman.
A woman can touch another woman but not a man.
A man does not speak to a woman if she is alone. If she is accompanied, it is allowed.
A woman does not speak to a man if she is alone. If she is accompanied, it is allowed.

IMG_0227

In a restaurant :

If you eat in a restaurant with Indian friends, do not be offended if one of them gets up and goes to eat at another table when the food is served (some vegetarians are not allowed to eat and share a table with a non-vegetarian… because of their religious doctrine)

In India, people eat with their fingers, only those of the right hand, the left hand is considered to be impure.

In a family :

If a family invites you, you can give them some sweets, cakes etc.… above all don’t offer your help, it is considered to be ungracious.

Even if the meal is delicious, which it will be; avoid drowning them with compliments on the meal.

Don’t say the children are good-looking; our Indian friends think that it brings the evil eye.

IMG_1085

On the train :

If a person is asleep lying in the corridor, it is better to wake him up than to step over him, it is a sign of respect.

On the bus :

Normally a man does not sit next to a woman, the contrary is also true, except if you are married.

Photos of India (Ashtanga Yoga workshop in India Mahābalipuram)

South India and Photos

A journey to India is at the same time an inner journey, intimate and dazzling and an outside journey during which each moment may offer a discovery, a deep encounter.

For photographers, India is a real paradise, one of the best spots for those who like colorful pictures full of emotion.

To take photos in certain places you will have to pay a tax for your camera or video camera (more expensive) but then you will be free to catch a beautiful ray of light, to make the best of each magnificent place. India is an unbelievably visual country, where anything can become a subject for a photo.

Often people spontaneously ask to be photographed, they nearly always say yes, if asked. 

Other complementary information :

  • Journey information, airplane, and transfer
  • Visa
  • Finding a hotel in Mahābalipuram
  • Indian cooking
  • Information: Health in India